11. Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chloe
Dawson is a gentleman and doesn’t run any yellow lights, allowing me to follow right behind him. Shockingly, we pull onto a street only two down from my grandparents’ house. My duplex is half a mile from here.
What a small world.
Dawson lives in a cream brick rambler at the end of a cul-de-sac. He parks in the garage and I park in the driveway behind him. Taking in his house, I marvel at the mature trees on the green strip. In a month, those leaves will be a gorgeous color. Finn’s going to love jumping in the huge pile in November. The front flower bed is devoid of vegetation, only brown wood chips fill the space.
The house isn’t massive, but it also isn’t tiny. Overall, it’s nice and well maintained on the outside. The street is quiet, with beautiful mature trees everywhere. I’m pleased and pleasantly surprised. For some reason, I expected Dawson to live in something different. Maybe a newer development with more kids in the area? Or a townhouse .
Getting out of my car, I hesitate. Is it presumptuous of me to go into the house through the garage like Finn and Dawson, or do I go to the front door?
Standing by my Prius, I pretend to check for messages, ignoring the fact it feels like I’m right back in junior high, hoping I have someone to sit by at lunch on the first day of school.
“Chloe?”
I face Dawson, forcing a chipper smile. “Yeah?”
He thumbs over his shoulder. “Come on in.”
Way to be super obvious. “Right.” Clicking my key fob, I follow Dawson inside. We enter his kitchen and I stop in my tracks. Sure, there are dishes in the sink and crumbs on the counter, but that’s not what makes me pause.
It’s the kitchen design. The L-shaped cabinets are sage green with gold knobs. A white granite countertop, light wood floors, and beautiful pendant lights complete the look. I’m completely jealous. “Did you remodel or was it like this when you bought it?”
“What?” Dawson asks, hanging his keys on a hook by the door.
“The kitchen. It’s stunning.”
He waves a hand through the air. “Oh, yeah. The previous owner remodeled the entire house. I wanted something already done since I don’t have time for home repairs right now.”
If the kitchen is this gorgeous, what do the bathrooms look like? I may need to take a potty break while I’m here to check it out. “It’s beautiful. And this isn’t messy at all. This looks lived in. ”
“Yeah, that’s one way to describe it.”
Listen, I’m a neat freak. All my things have a place and everything needs to be in its place. Is Dawson like me? Does a small mess like a few dirty dishes and crumbs drive him mad? “I can help you clean real quick so you can relax and not stress about this while we work.” I can’t go to sleep or sit down to watch a show until the kitchen is spotless. It’s like ants are crawling along my limbs and my chest tightens. The only way to stop the sensation is getting the chore over with.
“Dad!” Finn hollers from the couch in the great room. “The show’s pulled up.”
“Go ahead and start,” Dawson says. “We’ll be in the kitchen for a bit.” Dawson looks at me. “A guest is not cleaning my house.”
“Why not? I’m the one who offered.” I move to the island, swiping crumbs into my palm. Holding my hands over the farmhouse sink, I brush the residue off. “Do you have a dishcloth you use for the counters?”
Dawson comes up beside me, grabbing onto my forearm. “Please stop, Chloe.”
“Sorry.” Heat creeps into my cheeks. “I’ll wait at the table.” Taking a giant step backward, I spin, heading to the dining room that separates the kitchen from the family room.
Dawson’s arm shoots out in front of me, blocking my path. He lets out a giant sigh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. This week’s been hard and I’m drained.”
How did I not read his expression right in the parking lot? I thought when I asked to come over, Dawson didn’t say anything because he was fine with it. But he never wanted me to say yes. My stomach turns sour. He doesn’t want me here. “I’m the one who’s sorry. You’re worn out. The last thing you need right now is a stranger in your home. We’ll talk tomorrow at the game.”
Dawson scrubs his hands down his face. “Don’t go.”
I can’t stay. Not when I’m intruding and fighting back the same feelings I’ve battled my entire life. Nobody wants you. My nose stings and tears burn the back of my eyes. I won’t fall apart in front of Dawson. Blinking rapidly and rubbing my nose, willing the emotions overwhelming me to calm, I say, “Dawson, it’s fine.”
His gaze turns pleading. “Will you please wait? I just need ten minutes. Then I’ll return with a better attitude. Promise.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “You’re absolutely sure? I don’t mind leaving.” And never coming back.
He puts his hand on my shoulder. Warmth spreads from my shoulder, running down my arm and into my chest until my entire body is as balmy as a beach day. It’s like Dawson is the calm to my storm. Just a simple touch soothes my frazzled nerves.
Weird.
His soft eyes focus on mine. “I’m one hundred percent positive I want you to stay.”
With us standing so close, I notice flecks of dark brown scattered throughout his irises. I’m getting hotter by the second. Soon, I’ll be burning like white coal in a fire. My voice is deeper than normal when I say, “I’ll stay.”
His hand drops from my shoulder and he takes a step back, putting distance between us. Distance I’m fond of because I need my body to chill .
“Thanks.” He clears his throat. “Ten minutes.”
“Take your time.” I walk through the kitchen in a daze, crossing to the dining room table. Pulling my phone out and a notebook I shoved in my purse earlier, I jot down my thoughts on the pizza and the cost. I’m scrolling online for other catering options when the seat next to me is pulled out from the table.
“What do you have there?” Dawson asks.
I slide the notebook toward him. “The Pie is good. There’s no debating that. I think the price is decent for the quality of food and will resonate well with the men and kids. What I’m not loving is how pizza doesn’t really scream fall festival, you know? And what about the big clients Carter wants to impress? Pizza doesn’t really say we spent a lot of time thinking through the theme.”
“Uhh…” Dawson scratches his jawline. “You’re better at this than I am because none of that crossed my mind. If it were up to me, I’d order the pizza and be done with it.”
“And it’s still an option, but what if we did a gourmet chili and mac and cheese bar? Or Mexican? There’s always barbeque too. Ohhh or food trucks. That way there’s a variety for everyone who comes.”
Dawson shakes his head quickly like he can’t keep up with every idea I’m spouting. “Hold up, Chloe. One, we don’t have time to try all the food you mentioned and give companies enough time to meet our November second deadline. Second, are you aiming to please clients or making this family friendly or both? Third, take a deep breath.”
I inhale, calming my whirring mind. “The ultimate goal is for the food and activities to be perfect for all attendees. I want everyone to enjoy what they eat and what they do during the festival regardless of age.”
“Then go with food trucks. It gives people options. You can have stuff kids and adults like.”
I’m loving this idea. We can set up tables and chairs but won’t have to worry about keeping the food restocked or warm throughout the event. The only potential issue is the price. “Done. I’ll call around and see what I can find. Any recommendations? For dessert we’ll have the caramel apple station and I’ll order some cinnamon rolls, pumpkin pie, and apple cider donuts.”
Dawson wipes his mouth like he’s drooling. “I approve. Since I recently moved back, I’m not sure what kind of food trucks are around here.”
“There’s—”
“Dad! Chloe!” Finn shouts. “You’ve got to come see this battle. Hurry!”
Flashing me an amused smile, Dawson hurries to the couch. I’ve heard of Pokémon , but I have no clue what it’s about, and I don’t really care to know.
Following Dawson, I sit, pretending to show interest. Dawson and I make “Ohh,” “Oomf,” and “Owie” noises at the appropriate times. All I want is to get back to discussing food trucks, but one episode morphs into two. Two into three. The last thing I recall is Ash speaking to Pickachu.